Promise to Defend
Page 23
I don’t bring home women from the bar. It’s a choice. The last thing I need is some chick hanging around for weeks afterward, searching for a repeat performance that won’t ever happen.
I’ll flirt with them until the cows come home, though, because it’s what they want, and they pay nicely for a little attention.
The girl bites her lip and grabs the beers, making sure to lean over the bar as she does so. I look, because I’m not blind, but then I glance at Kandie when she elbows my side.
“You know that bunch?” She inclines her head toward the Night Eagle team, and I nod.
“Yeah, I do. Just not sure what they’re doing here. Didn’t expect to see most of them again anytime soon.”
When Ronin’s woman was taken from the parking lot of this bar by Wilmington’s most notorious organized crime family, I got involved. Not only because he’s my friend and he needed me, but also because Mickey’s son, Mick, was at the center of the bullshit and I took personal exception to the fact that he’d dared to do it all on my turf. I backed Ronin up, worked some of my magic with explosives, and helped rescue Olive safe and sound.
I knew there were a few members of the NES team that didn’t like my past or my attitude.
Doesn’t matter to me. They can all go fuck themselves, because I don’t answer to anyone. Not anymore.
“Well they’re a pretty bunch.” When I glance at Kandie, her dark brown eyes are locked and loaded on the two high-top tables. “Especially little Miss Converse Sneakers over there. That nerdy vibe she’s got goin’ on works for her.”
Kandie watches Sayward, and I follow her gaze without meaning to. My cock stiffens in my jeans, growing uncomfortable as hell, and I turn toward the wall so I can adjust myself without looking like an asshole.
Kandie chuckles. “Looks like I’m not the only one who noticed.”
With a sigh, I’m getting ready to face the music and find out what the NES crew wants with me, when a commotion at the end of the bar pulls my attention. I turn that way just in time to see one dude’s fist slam into another one’s face.
And then the bar erupts in absolute fucking madness.
About the Author
Diana Gardin is a wife of one and a mom of two. Writing is her second full-time job to that, and she loves it! Diana writes contemporary romance in the Young Adult and New Adult categories. She’s also a former elementary school teacher. She loves steak, sugar cookies, and Coke and hates working out.
Learn more at:
DianaGardin.com
Twitter: @DianalynnGardin
Facebook.com/AuthorDianaGardin
Also by Diana Gardin
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Saved by the SEAL
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Ever Always (novella)
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To keep her safe, he’ll have to uncover all her secrets…
Rayne Alexander. A face I never thought I’d see again, and one I never could forget. Nine years ago, she left town—and me—without a backward glance. But now she’s back, with a haunted look in her eyes and a feisty attitude that didn’t exist when we were teenagers. Seeing this grown-up—and sexy—Rayne is something I wasn’t prepared for…and it’s bringing up feelings I’d thought I’d buried years ago.
Although I want to demand answers from Rayne, working on black ops at Night Eagle Security has taught me that it’s sometimes better to keep my mouth shut. So when I catch her hiding a photo of a little boy, I’m curious. When I see her jump as her phone rings, I’m concerned. But the second I notice a car following her home, I know she’s hiding something. Something dangerous. And while I may not know why she left or why she’s back, if there’s someone out there Rayne is afraid of, I’ll make damn sure that threat is eliminated.
He’s a man on a mission.
Navy SEAL Trent Lawson isn’t a man to back down from a challenge. Ever since he opened his eyes in that army hospital to learn the men from his unit were gone, Trent has been determined to live life in their honor. Even if that means facing his most terrifying mission yet…dating.
She’s done playing games.
Lauren Hayes has standards. In fact, she’s got an entire list of them. There’s only ever been one man to come close to making the cut—Trent Lawson. Except her best friend’s too-sexy-for-his-own-good brother is strictly off-limits.
When Trent and Lauren find themselves matched up by a dating service, the chemistry between them is nothing short of explosive. They both know getting involved is a huge mistake, but life is too short to walk away from something this good.
There is nothing more dangerous than desire…
Emma McKinley is a bright young lawyer with a very dark secret: She’s the daughter of an assassin. Twenty years ago, her father shot and killed the president and Emma has been desperate to understand why ever since. She’s changed her name, moved around…but the past keeps hunting her down. First came an irresistible job offer, luring her back where the assassination occurred. And now Emma is receiving mysterious newspaper clippings about the shooting as a terrible reminder—and a deadly threat…
Sheriff Conner Kavanaugh has been burned before. But from the moment he meets Emma, there’s something about her he can’t resist. Something is haunting her—that much is clear. And as the threats against her mount, he’ll do anything to protect her and win her trust. If the past doesn’t catch up to them first.
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Table of Contents
Cover
Title Page
Copyright
Acknowledgments
1: Ronin
2: Olive
3: Ronin
4: Olive
5: Ronin
6: Ronin
7: Olive
8: Ronin
9: Olive
10: Ronin
11: Olive
12: Ronin
13: Olive
14: Ronin
15: Ronin
16: Olive
17: Ronin
18: Ronin
19: Olive
20: Ronin
21: Olive
22: Olive
23: Ronin
24: Ronin
25: Olive
26: Ronin
27: Olive
28: Ronin
29: Olive
30: Olive
31: Ronin
32: Olive
Epilogue: Ronin
A Preview of “Mine to Save”
About the Author
Also by Diana Gardin
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